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. 2024 Feb 15;22(2):e8607.
doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8607. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Safety evaluation of the food enzyme rennet containing chymosin and pepsin A from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats, lambs and buffaloes

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP); Claude Lambré, José Manuel Barat Baviera, Claudia Bolognesi, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Riccardo Crebelli, David Michael Gott, Konrad Grob, Evgenia Lampi, Marcel Mengelers, Alicja Mortensen, Gilles Rivière, Inger-Lise Steffensen, Christina Tlustos, Henk Van Loveren, Laurence Vernis, Holger Zorn, Magdalena Andryszkiewicz, Yi Liu, Laura Sanmartín, Andrew Chesson

Safety evaluation of the food enzyme rennet containing chymosin and pepsin A from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats, lambs and buffaloes

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) et al. EFSA J. .

Abstract

The food enzyme containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats, lambs and buffaloes by Caglificio Clerici S.p.A. It is intended to be used in the production of cheese. As no concerns arise from the source of the food enzyme, from its manufacture and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considered that toxicological data were not required and no exposure assessment was necessary. The similarity of the amino acid sequences of the two proteins (chymosin and pepsin A) to those of known allergens was searched and two matches were found with respiratory allergens. The Panel considered that the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.

Keywords: EC 3.4.23.1; EC 3.4.23.4; abomasum; buffaloes; chymosin; food enzyme; goats; lambs; pepsin; rennet; suckling calves.

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Conflict of interest statement

If you wish to access the declaration of interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu.

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